This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
COVID-19 Sparks Gardening Renaissance in Kenya ¶
Friday, June 26, 2020
With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people to spend more time at home, many Kenyans are turning to gardening as a way to cope with the isolation and find solace in nature.
Meerabella Shah, a resident of Nairobi's Parklands estate, is one such individual who has transformed her rooftop into a miniature garden. The space, which was once a concrete area, is now a lush oasis filled with a variety of plants, herbs, and flowers.
"Every time I take the stairs to the rooftop, it's like I'm going to a paradise far away," Meerabella says, as she shows off her creation.
The garden features an indoor metallic swing, vegetable gardens, and a potted lemon tree, among other things. Meerabella's six-year-old daughter also spends time in the garden, watching the birds and bees, and even has a pet beetle.
Meerabella credits her daughter with helping her to create the garden, saying, "My daughter and I spend weekends here making memories: painting these (the oil jars and stones) and making crafts."
Another resident, Kelvin Munyottah, has also transformed his outdoor space into a garden. His garden, named Grace Garden, sits on an eighth of an acre piece of land and features a mix of colors, herbs, spices, vegetables, fruit trees, and an exotic flower bed.
"This place is a dream come true," Kelvin says, as he shows off his garden. "Gardening was a passion cultivated by association. When I was young, we had a neighbor who sold flowers and flower nurseries in Westlands, Nairobi. I would visit her and spend time admiring the flowers, and eating her vegetables."
Both Meerabella and Kelvin's gardens are testaments to the power of gardening in bringing people joy and a sense of connection to nature.
